I have been in Irish bars and clubs all over London and have seen grown men and women cry when the anthem is broadcast before big matches every Summer. Even though they are gone from Ireland for many years these men and women still want the link with "home"

I have been in Irish bars and clubs all over London and have seen grown men and women cry when the anthem is broadcast before big matches every Summer. Even though they are gone from Ireland for many years these men and women still want the link with "home"

Meanwhile, many at the matches can't even shut the feck up until the anthem has finished!

I would hate to see the anthem done away with at games. I think it goes hand in hand with gaelic games for me. It's sad to see so many other countries where the flag and anthem and pride in where you are from outshines the Irish. I have the Irish flag flying proudly outside my house here in Florida. I wish living in the North of Ireland I could even have one without fear of being targeted. Any time I've been to a bar out here to watch a game every one to a man stood for the Anthem (over the flippin telly!). I went to see Armagh play Derry in 2007 before I left for the States. I recorded the anthem at that game. Gaelic games, national pride and the anthem are so intertwined I would be devastated for that to be watered down

It probably has more significance now you live away from home. People tend to attach more significance to anything Irish when away from home.

Yes you risk being targeted having a tricolour on your house in the North, but how many in the South fly a tricolour on their house? Very very few. Because the South is not a divided society and therefore few feel the need to nail their colours to the mast.

I recorded the anthem at the match before I left Benny. The significance at the time for me was knowing this was possibly the last time I would be at a game in person. I chose to mark it and recorded the anthem. They're intertwined for me. Not because I'm away. They've always had significance.Granted this national pride and attachment to Ireland has only increased since I have left and is what brings me home every year now.